Martins Return Delayed!

Last Updated : 31-Jan-2008 by
Nigeria set up a quarter-final tie with hosts Ghana after beating Benin in their final African Nations Cup group encounter, when it semed they could be heading back home.

Martins was substituted in the last game at half-time, and was dropped for the match with Benin.

Goals from Mikel John Obi and Yakubu Aiyegbeni were enough to see off Benin while Ivory Coast's 3-0 triumph over Mali in the night's other Group B encounter ensured the Super Eagles a berth in the last eight.

Coming into the final round of fixtures, Nigeria needed to win and hope tournament favourites Ivory Coast beat Mali, while also recovering a two goal-difference deficit.

Nigeria's German coach Berti Vogts had been criticised ahead of the match for his overly-defensive tactics employed at this year's competition and made three changes from the 0-0 draw against Mali last time out.

John Utaka, Dickson Etuhu and Ike Uche got the nod ahead of Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and the suspended Seyi Olofinjana.